By 1980, the writing was really on the wall for the C3 Corvette, but that didn’t stop 40,614 people parking one in their driveway. Today, it is possible to buy some pretty respectable examples for relatively small change. This particular car will require a bit of work, but none of it would appear to be urgent, and none of it is capable of preventing the vehicle from being driven and enjoyed immediately. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this Corvette for us to look at. It is located in Savannah, Georgia, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner is asking $7,900 for the ‘Vette, so let’s take a look and see if it is worth the money.

Finished in Silver Metallic, the Corvette has quite acceptable presentation. The paint has a few noticeable chips and marks, but it also has a pleasing shine to it. The owner states that the Corvette is by no means a show car, but that it does turn heads wherever it goes. There are no signs of any significant accident damage, and all of the trim and badges appear to be present. The glass panels for the T-Top look to be free of any marks and the lack of any signs of water-staining inside the car suggests that the seals are in good order. Probably one of the most impressive aspects of the exterior presentation is the condition of the aluminum alloy wheels. After 40-years, it would not be unusual for these to demonstrate some pitting or staining, but these have a great shine to them.  The vehicle has been owned by the same person for the past 20-years, and long-term ownership is something that I find to be a reassuring factor with a classic car. It doesn’t ever guarantee that the car has been properly cared for and maintained, but it does increase the chances.

While the interior of the Corvette is currently quite serviceable, the owner freely admits that this is the main area where money might need to be spent if the car is going to really stand out. I agree with him when he says that the car would benefit from new carpet. The next owner could get away with just replacing the front carpet, but given the inherent fading that will have impacted the rear, I would be inclined to go with a full carpet set. These can be found for anywhere between $290 and $400, depending on the quality and pile type. He also says that a new set of leather covers for the seats would be a real benefit, and it isn’t clear what is hiding below the aftermarket ones that are currently fitted. A really good set of leather covers in the correct color can be found for around $500 a pair, and when combined with the fresh carpet, would make a huge difference to interior presentation. The wheel is also showing its age a bit, but I would be inclined to hand it to a leather specialist to see if it could be revived before I would consider a replacement. There are a few other minor trim pieces that could use some attention, but unless the next owner is a perfectionist, these items could be left as they are in the short term. One strategy that I have used in the past with locating many items is to do a quick search on eBay every few days. It is surprising how often the correct parts will pop up at a great price, and if you aren’t in a rush, this is a strategy that can save some serious money. Even the more significant trim pieces that I have mentioned could potentially be sourced the same way. The owner mentions that the heater currently doesn’t work and that it has been bypassed. That suggests that the heater core might be faulty, so, depending on the climate, this may or may not be a priority repair. The Corvette is fitted with air conditioning, and when combined with an AM/FM stereo radio, power windows, and a tilt wheel, should make for a pleasant experience when the next owner gets the opportunity to hit the road.

For 1980, there was a total of three different engines available in a Corvette. The 305ci V8 was exclusively for the Californian market, but the rest of the country could choose from two different versions of the ageless 350. In this case, we get the L48, producing 190hp. Hooked to the back of that is a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, while the car is also fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes. The good news here is that the Corvette is said to run and drive really well, while the tires still retain 80% of their original tread. The only issue that the owner identifies is the fact that there is some wear in some of the bushes in the front end, and these can be noisy from time to time. However, this isn’t impacting the way the car drives, and nor is it causing the tires to wear in an odd way. With that in mind, it sounds like this could be the only mechanical issue, and rectifying it might not be a big deal.

This 1980 Corvette really is an interesting proposition. Its exterior presentation isn’t perfect, but it’s still pretty nice. Mechanically, it seems to be quite solid and appears to have no immediate needs. The interior needs some work, but once again, there is nothing urgent there. Even if you spent the money that I have quoted on replacement interior trim pieces, this is a car that will cost the next owner less than $9,000 all up. It is hard to find a tidy example now for under the $10,000 mark, so this is a car that would have to be worth a pretty serious look.